Senior Manager, Development

The Senior Manager of Development serves as the senior operational and strategic lead for Blue Ridge Health’s philanthropic efforts. This role is responsible for translating organizational priorities into a clear, needs-based philanthropy strategy and ensuring strong execution across major gifts, donor stewardship, systems, and internal alignment. Responsibilities include:

• →Provides strategic leadership for the major gifts program, establishing clear standards for donor qualification, relationship management, solicitation planning, and stewardship. Ensures consistent application of best practices and accountability across all stages of the donor lifecycle.
• →Coordinates and supports major gift donor relationships shared with the CEO and Director of Communications and Development by preparing cultivation strategies, managing relationship plans, and supporting solicitations and stewardship activities that advance long-term donor engagement and giving.
• →Designs, implements, and continuously refines a multiyear philanthropy strategy that aligns fundraising efforts with Blue Ridge Health’s strategic plan, service priorities, and long‑term financial sustainability goals. Ensures philanthropic investments are clearly connected to mission impact and organizational need.
• →Works closely with executive leadership and operational stakeholders to understand funding needs and translate them into clear, donor centered cases for support. Develops meaningful giving opportunities that resonate with donor values and demonstrate measurable community impact.
• →Sets annual and long-term fundraising goals and defines success metrics across major gifts, stewardship, and donor engagement. Develops reporting structures and dashboards that provide leadership with clear visibility into performance, pipeline health, and progress toward revenue targets.
• →Designs and oversees efficient development workflows, clarifying roles, accountabilities, and handoffs within the philanthropy function. Ensures donor systems and tools support effective relationship management, reporting, and data driven decision making.
• →Maintains oversight of donor information to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance with ethical and regulatory standards. Leverages donor data to inform strategy, prioritize outreach, forecast revenue, and evaluate fundraising effectiveness.
• →Ensures donors experience timely, meaningful, and personalized stewardship that reinforces trust and long-term commitment. Oversees acknowledgment processes, impact reporting, recognition practices, and engagement opportunities that strengthen donor loyalty and retention.
• →Partners with Communications to shape compelling donor communications, including cases for support, proposals, reports, and impact stories. Ensures messaging is accurate, mission aligned and effectively reflects the outcomes of philanthropic investment.
• →Supports Board engagement in philanthropy, including board giving expectations, donor cultivation efforts, and strategic conversations related to fundraising growth. Provides guidance, materials, and coordination to help board members serve as effective ambassadors and advocates.
• →Champions a culture of philanthropy across the organization by helping staff and leaders understand the role of philanthropy in advancing the mission. Encourages cross departmental partnership and shared ownership of donor relationships and stewardship.
• →Provides direct supervision, coaching, and performance management for philanthropy staff. Sets clear expectations, supports professional growth, and holds staff accountable for achieving goals while fostering a collaborative and high performing team environment.
• →Performs other related duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in related field required
• Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) strongly preferred
• Minimum of five years of progressive fundraising experience
• Demonstrated success with major donor cultivation
• Experience leading development staff
• Knowledge of donor stewardship best practices
• Strategic thinker with strong execution skills
• High integrity and commitment to ethical fundraising
• Strong leadership and collaboration skills
• Effective communicator
• Organized and detail-oriented
• Ability to manage multiple priorities

At Blue Ridge Health our mission is to improve Health and inspire Hope through access to Compassionate, Affordable, Quality Care. We are seeking individuals with a passion for creating an exceptional patient and client care experience to join our team! We are a nonprofit system of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) that works closely with communities to meet the ever-changing medical and behavioral healthcare needs of individuals throughout WNC.

We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.